Glass cutting apparatus



Dem 1966 A. c. CAKES ETAL GLASS CUTTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet; 1

Original Filed Feb. 15, 1960 A E/7E0 C. 04 %!5 A MO VAWZAS A4977740 Dec.13, 1966 Original Filed Feb. 15, 1960 ILLUSTRATNE REFERENCE CHARACTERTCRi A. c. CAKES ETAL 3,290,973

GLASS CUTTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 TYPE OF UNITS con. 0F RELAYcon. 0:: TIMER. RELAY $YMBOL --+L- NORMALLY CLOSED CONTACT OF RELAYNORMALLY OFF-N CONTACT O F 'HNiEK RELAY, BUT TlME OPENING UPQNENERGIZATWN OF C0". OF TlMEK RELAY N NORMALLY OPEN, TRHPED cwsab, uMrrSWlTCH o-- NORMALLY OPEN PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH -m 1J--NORMALLY CLOSEDPUSH-BJTTON SWITCH PUSH-E UTTON TYPE. OF SELECTOR sWrrcH WITH TWOCONTACTS IN DWTERENT cuznuws AND wn-u 0N2 CONTACT c.0520 WHEN THE QTHERIS OPEN (SWITCH IN TWO POSWIONS SHOWN) 30 LE N()\ D F5OLENO\D'-OPE.RATED VALVE INVENTORS United States Patent 3,290,973 GLASSCUTTING APPARATUS Alfred C. Oakes and Charles Hatfield, Mount Vernon,Ohio, and Wayne W. Oakes, deceased, late of Mount Vernon, Ohio, byBernadette Oakes, executrix, Mount Vernon, Ohio, assignors to PittsburghPlate Glass Company, Allegheny County, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Continuation of application Ser. No. 8,549, Feb. 15, 1960.

This application Jan. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 427,543

12 Claims. (Cl. 83--11) This application is a continuation of our priorfiled copending application Serial No. 8,549, filed February 15, 1960,now abandoned.

This invention relates to a glass cutting apparatus and morespecifically relates to an apparatus for cutting or merely scoring aglass sheet along a number of parallel lines which are normal to an edgeof the sheet.

In the apparatus of the present invention a glass sheet is moved by aconveyor under a bridge supporting a number of glass cutter wheels whichprovide parallel score lines. The apparatus further includes a mechanismthat shifts the glass sheet, if necessary, on the moving conveyor priorto the passage of the glass sheet under the cutter wheels to place theleading edge of the sheet normal to the travel of the moving. Theapparatus of this invention also includes a mechanism that maintains theleading edge of the sheet normal to the path of travel which is providedby the conveyor during the movement of the glass sheet under the cutterwheels.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus forproviding parallel score lines on a moving glass sheet normal to theleading edge of the glass sheet regardless of the initial angulardisposition of the leading edge of the moving sheet With respect to thedirection of path of travel.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for theshifting of a moving glass sheet prior to the passage of the sheet undercutter wheels.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an apparatushaving a mechanism which automatically shifts the glass sheet on aconveyor until its leading edge is normal to the path of travel providedby a conveyor and which then automatically moves out of the way andpermits a device to hold the shifted sheet in this alignment for passageby the conveyor under cutter Wheels to provide parallel score lines.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor shifting a moving glass sheet to align its leading edge normal tothe path of travel, which is provided by the conveyor, and automaticallyfor removing the sheet-shifting mechanism simultaneously with thelowering of a mechanism to insure that the sheet is maintained in thisshifted position during its subsequent passage under cutter wheels thatprovide parallel score lines.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent to oneskilled in the art from the description which follows of a preferredembodiment of the apparatus taken along with the drawings in whichsimilar parts are generally designated by the same numeral and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away, of theapparatus with only a portion of the conveyor being shown in phantom andwith the spaced stop members and holddown members of the apparatus shownin full lines in their first position and in phantom lines in theirsecond position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross section taken. along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of that portion of the apparatus shown inFIG. 3;

3,290,973 Patented Dec. 13, 1966 FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectiontaken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of electrical circuitry used in theapparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a legend identifying the symbols used in the electricalcircuitry of FIG. 6.

The apparatus of the preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 2 has asupporting structure generally indicated at 11 including sets ofuprights 12 and pairs of horizontal channel irons 13 mounted on uprights12. The supporting structure 11 includes transverse channel irons 14which support a number of table sections 15. Belts 16 of a conveyorgenerally indicated at 17 are supported at their top run by tablesections 15. The conveyor 17 has a pulley 18 and a pulley 19 for eachbelt 16. The pulleys 18 and 19 are mounted on shafts (not shown) and oneof the shafts is driven through conventional chains and sprockets (notshown) by a motor (not shown).

A pair of flanged brackets 20 is mounted on the front and rear ofsupporting structure 11. A gusset 21 having a top flange 22 is mountedon each bracket 20. Bearings 23 that rotatably support a shaft 24 aremounted on flanges 22. Also mounted on brackets 20 is an I-beam 25connected at its ends to brackets 20.

A pair of stop members, each generally indicated at 26, which are spaceda substantial distance from each other, is keyed on shaft 24. Alsomounted on shaft 24 is a number of holddown members generally indicatedat 27.

A clevis 28 is keyed on one end of shaft 24. The end of a piston rod 29of an air cylinder 30 is pivotally connected to clevis 28. The aircylinder 30 is mounted on a bracket 31 on one of brackets 20. Theoperation of air cylinder 3'11 to extend or retract rod 29 results inrotation moves the spool of valve 32a to a first position so that the 1air source communicates with the lower chamber of air cylinder 30through hose 32b, valve 32a and lower hose 32 whereby rod 29 is in theextended position so that stop members 26 are positioned as shown inFIGS. 1 through 3. The upper chamber of air cylinder 30 through upperhose 32, valve 32a and an exhaust hose 320 communicates with theatmosphere.

Each stop member 26 has a bracket 33 keyed on shaft 24. On one ofbrackets 33 is mounted a limit switch LS1. On the other bracket 33 ismounted a limit switch LS2. On each of brackets 33 is pivotally mounteda lever 34. On the free end of lever 34 is mounted a T member 35 whichhas its leg bolted to lever 34. Vertical adjustment of T member 35 ispossible because of slot 36 in lever 34 for the bolt. On the face of Tmember 35 is mounted by adhesive a member 37 of a synthetic resin, suchas polyurethane, which is primarily rigid but which yields to a slightdegree. When one of stop members 26 is moved slightly the associatedlimit switch, LS1 or LS2, senses this movement as described in the nextparagraph.

A bracket 38 is mounted on bracket 33. A spring bolt 39 is threaded inbracket 38 and is fixed in position by a nut 40. A spring 41 is mountedon bolt 39 and extends into a recess in lever 34. A trip arm 42 ismounted on lever 34. The spring 41 biases lever 34 so that trip arm 42engages the corresponding one of switches LS1 and LS2, which are of thenormally open type. When each of levers 34 is in the position shown inFIG. 3, trip arms 42 close switches LS1 and LS2. Another bracket 43 ismounted on each of brackets 33. A bolt 44 is threaded through bracket 43and its position is secured by nut 45. The bolt 44 serves as a stopmember for lever 34. The

bolt 44 limits the counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 3) ofpivotal movement of lever 34.

A glass sheet G on conveyor 17 is moved from left to right (as viewed inFIGS. 2 and 3). When the leading edge of sheet G reaches one of stopmembers 26, it abuts member 37. The drive for conveyor 17 is continuous.Thus sheet G moves one of levers 34 counterclockwise against spring 41thereby moving trip arm 42 away from the appropriate one of switches LS1and LS2. This switch opens.

As explained later with reference to the electrical circuitry, when bothof trip arms 42 are moved away from switches LS1 and LS2 by portions ofthe leading edge of sheet G pushing against stop members 26 so thatsolenoid V1 is deenergized, cylinder 30 is operated to retract rod 29thereby rotating shaft 24. This pivots brackets 33 in a counterclockwisedirection (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3). As levers 34 are moved upwardlyduring this pivotal movement, sheet G can be moved by conveyor 17. Whenmembers 37 are sufliciently above sheet G, springs 41 return levers 34to their normal relationship with respect to brackets 33 which continueto be pivotally moved. Thus as brackets 33 are being pivoted upwardly,the return movement of levers 34 relative to brackets 33 results in triparms 42 engaging and opening switches LS1 and LS2.

Each of the holddown members 27 includes a lever 46 journaled on shaft24, a stub shaft 47 on lever 46, a roll 48 journaled on shaft 47 and alifting arm 49 fixed on shaft 24. The length of lifting arm 49 issufficient to abut a stub tube 50 welded on the free end of lever 46 toassist in the support of shaft 47.

When shaft 24 is in the position shown in full lines in FIGS. 1 through3, lifting arm 49 supports lever 46 in the raised position wherebyfelt-covered roll 48 is substantially above the path of travel of glasssheet G.

When shaft 24 is rotated to life brackets 33 thereby pivoting stopmembers 26 out of the path of travel of sheet G, lifting arms 49 arepivoted counterclockwise. Because of force of gravity levers 46 androlls 48 fall until rolls 48 contact sheet G. The weight of rolls 48maintains their contact with the top surface of glass sheet G now beingmoved by conveyor 17. This construction is preferred to one in whichlevers 46 would be keyed on shaft 24 and in which lifting arms 49 wouldbe unnecessary.

After the passage of sheet G, air cylinder 30 is operated, as explainedbelow with reference to the electrical circuitry, to extend rod 29whereby stop members 26 are lowered. During this rotation of shaft 24lifting arms 49 are moved clockwise. The moving arms 49 engage stubtubes 50 to lift rolls 48 out of the path of travel of the next glasssheet G.

A downwardly extending bracket 51 is mounted on I-beam 25. The bracketsupports a limit switch LS3 which has its roller-containing lever arm 52positioned so that switch LS3 is tripped closed from its normally openposition by the leading edge of glass sheet G. The switch LS3 remainsclosed until sheet G has completely passed.

A flanged support bracket 53 is mounted on each of the front and rearpair of horizontal channel irons 13. Each of the brackets 53 has agusset 54. A plate 55 is mounted on each of brackets 53. An air cylinder56 is supported by each of plates 55. Each cylinder 56 has a piston rod57 extending upwardly through an opening in plate 55. The end of rod 57is threaded into a U-shaped bracket 58. A square tube 59 extendstransversely of the apparatus above and entirely across conveyor 17 andtube 59 is bolted near its ends to brackets 58. Thus tube 59 issupported by and is raised and lowered by air cylinders 56.

A pair of vertical spaced rods 60, threaded at each end, is mounted onplate 55. Stop members 61 are supported on tube 59. The upper ends ofrods 60 extend through members 61 and nuts on rods 66 limit the upwardtravel of tube 59 provided by cylinders 56.

A plate 62 is mounted on the upstream vertical face of tube 5? (as seenin FIGS. 1 and 2). Cutter assemblies generally indicated at 63 aresupported by plate 62. The cutter assemblies 63 may be one of numeroustypes of construction well known in the art. In the construction shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 the cutter assemblies 63 can be moved transversely ofthe path of travel of glass sheet G to position each cutter wheel 64 ofeach of cutter assemblies 63 at different positions to provide differentpossibilities of score lines in sheet G parallel to the direction oftravel of sheet G under cutter assemblies 63.

'In this embodiment of the apparatus cutter wheels 64 are above sheet Gwhen piston rods 57 are in their extended positions. The air cylinders56 are connected by hoses 65 and 66 to solenoid-operated, spring biased,4 way valves 67 and 68 which are connected by hoses 67a and 68a,respectively, to the pressurized air source. The valves 67 and 68 havesolenoids SV2 ran-d 8V3, respectively. When solenoids SV2 and 5V3 aredeenengized, a spring 69 for each of valves 67 and 68 has the spool in afirst position so that piston rods 57 are in the extended position.

When solenoids SV2 and SV3 are energized, the spools of valves 67 and 68are moved to a second position for the operation of air cyliders 56 toretract piston rods 57 thereby lower-in-g cutter assemblies 63 to aposition in which their cutter wheels 64 are in scoring position onglass sheet G. As explained below, the energization of coils SV2 and SV3occurs after switch LS3 is tripped closed by the leading edge of glasssheet G.

It is apparent from the drawings and the foregoing description that aglass sheet placed no conveyor 17 at its left-hand portion, i.e., onconveyor 17 upstream of stop members 26, is moved until two spacedportions of the leading edge of sheet G both abut members 37 mounted onlevers 34 and pivot both of levers 34 a sufficient amount to remove triparms 42 away from switches LS1 and LS2.

If the leading edge of sheet G is angularly disposed relative to avertical plane normal to the path of travel of sheet G provided byconveyor 17, the one portion of the leading edge will first abut one ofmembers 37 when the other portion of the leading edge will be spacedfrom other member 37. The conveyor 17 continues to provide a forwardforce to sheet G. The lever 34 having member 37 in contact with theleading edge is pivoted a slight amount by sheet G to remove arm 42 fromswitch LS1. Further pivotal movement of lever 34 is prevented by bolt39. The moving force provided by conveyor v17 continues so that sheet Gis shifted until the other portion of the leading edge of sheet G abutsother stop member 26 for disengagement of its arm 42 from the associatedlimit switch. When this happens, both abutting portions of the. leadingedge are and thus the entire straight leading edge is normal to the pathof travel of sheet G afforded by conveyor 17.

Through the operation of cylinder 36 shaft 24 rotates to move stopmembers 26 away from their position that hinders further movement ofsheet G by conveyor 17. At the same time arms 49 are pivoted by rotationof shaft 24 so that through gravity rolls 48 descend onto sheet G whichis again being moved by conveyor 17. The rolls 48 maintain theorientation of sheet G so that its leading edge is maintained normal tothe path of travel of sheet G. This maintenance of orientation of theleading edge of sheet G continues .until the trailing edge of sheet Gpasses beyond rolls 48. Before this occurs a substantial portion,usually a major portion, of sheet G has already passed under loweredcutter wheels 64 which are positioned 'by supporting tube 59 merely ashort distance downstream of the lowered position of rolls 48.

It is seen from the foregoing description and the immediately precedingparagraph that sheet G placed on conveyor 17 is passed under cutterwheels for parallel scoring in a direction along the path of travelafforded by conveyor 17 with the parallel scoring lines being normal tothe leading edge of sheet G. This is insured by the apparatus withoutany requirement that the sheet be placed on the feeding end of conveyor17 so that its leading edge is normal to the path of travel of the toprun ofconveyor 17. Thus the apparatus provides a squaring of the leadingedge relative to the path of travel and maintains this squareness forthe scoring operation that follows.

Quite often 'glass sheets are placed on conveyors with the leading edgebeing disposed in a vertical plane that is other than normal to the pathof travel of the top run of conveyor 17. For example, glass sheets areobtained from a vertically moving ribbon of glass in a drawing operationby scoring and snapping the vertical glass ribbon and then laying thenewly formed sheet by a conventional laydown conveyor onto a horizontalconveyor. In the present invention the latter conveyor could be conveyor17.

Referring to FIG. 6, electrical lines 80 and 81 are connected to a115-volt A.C. source. A first circuit is connected to lines 80 and 8.1and includes a coil CR1 of a relay in series with a normally closedpush-button switch FBI and a normally open pushabutton switch PB2. Therelay having coil CR1 has normally open contacts CR1-1 and CR1-2. Thecontact CR1-1 is in parallel with switch PB2 and in series with switchFBI and coil CR1. The contact CR1-1 provides a holding circuit for coilCR1 in the following :manner. An operator momentarily closes switch PB2to energize coil CR1 thereby closing contacts CR1-1 and CR12. Whenswitch PB2 is opened, contact CR1-1 maintains coil CR1 enengized untilan operator opens switch PBl.

The other circuits of FIG. 6 are connected by line 82 to line 80 throughcontact CR1-2 which is closed when coil CR1 is energized. These circuitsare connected through contact CR1-2 to line 80 by a 3-position selectorswitch SW1. In a first position, as shown in FIG. 6, switch SW1 connectselectrical line '83 to line 82 whereas in a second position switch SW1connects an electrical line 84 to line 82. In a third position, switchSW1 connects neither one of lines 83 and 84 to line 82.

A coil TCR1 of a time-delay relay is in series with a normally closedcontact CR21 and limit switch LS1 of the normally open type in a circuitbetween lines 81 and 83. The limit switch LS2 of the normally open typeis in parallel with switch LS1 and in series with contact CR2-1 and coilTCR1. The switch LS1 is tripped closed by arm 42 when lever of stopmember 26 associated with switch LS1 is in the position to be abutted bythe glass as shown in FIG. 3. When a portion of the leading edge ofglass sheet G being moved on conveyor 17 abuts stop member 26, sheet Gmoves lever 34 to the right (as viewed in FIG. 3) to move arm 42 awayfrom switch LS1 whereby the latter opens. The switch LS2 is closed byarm 42 of other stop member 26 in the position shown in FIG. 3.Likewise, switch LS2 opens when another portion of the leading edge,spaced substantially from the first portion of the leading edge of themoving sheet on conveyor 17, abuts this stop member 26 and moves lever34 to the right (as viewed in FIG. 3). Thus with stop members 26 in theposition shown in FIG. 3, switches LS1 and LS2 are closed.

If the leading edge of glass sheet G abuts and moves one of levers 34 ofstop members 26 ahead of the other lever 34, the associated switch,either LS1 or LS2, opens. This does not deenergize coil TCR1 because theother of switches LS1 and LS2 is still closed. The conveyor 17 continuesto move the glass sheet G while sheet G abuts one of the stop members 26which prevents further movement of this portion of the leading edge. Thesheet G shifts until another portion of the leading edge of a sheet Gabuts the other stop member 26 and pivots its arms 42 away from theassociated other limit switch which opens. When both of switches LS1 andLS2 are open, coil TCR1 is deenergized.

In series with switches LS1 and LS2 in a circuit is solenoid SV1 and anormally open contact TCR1-1 of the time-closing type, i.e., afterenergization of coil TCR1 of the relay of which it is a part, contactTCR1-1 after a delay closes. The contact TCR11 and solenoid SV1 are inparallel with contact CR2-1 and coil TCR1.

The home or normal position of stop members 26 is shown in FIG. 3 sothat switches LS1 and LS2 are closed when members 26 are at their homeposition. Relay TCR1 is energized until a glass sheet moves both stopmembers 26. Thus contact TCR1-1 is closed until both of switches LS1 andLS2 open to deenergize coil TCR1. The reason for contacts CR2-1 andTCR1-1 in these circuits will be explained later.

In parallel with contact TCR1-1 and switches LS1 and LS2 is a normallyopen push-button switch PB3 which is in series with solenoid SV1, andthis circuit is connected to lines 81 and 84. With switch SW1 in thesecond position an operator can energize solenoid SV1 by closing switchPBS. The purpose of this circuit will be explained later.

Another circuit between lines 81 and 83 has in series a coil CR2 of arelay, having contacts CR21 and CR2-2, and normally open limit switchLS3 which is closed when conveyor 17 moves the leading edge of glasssheet G beyond stop members 26, which are in raised position, and towardglass cutter wheels 64. The coil CR2 remains energized until thetrailing edge of glass sheet G passes beyond the limit switch LS3. Whenthis occurs, the lowering of stop members 26 by rotation of shaft 24will not bring stop members 26 down onto sheet G because it has alreadypassed the squaring position.

When solenoid SV1 is deenergized, a spring 69 of 4-way valve 32a ofwhich solenoid SV1 is a part moves the spool of valve 32a to communicatethe pressurized air source through hose 32b, valve 32a and upper hose 32with the upper chamber of cylinder 30 and to communicate the lowerchamber of cylinder 30 through lower hose 32, valve 32a and hose 320with the atmosphere, whereby rod 29 retracts. The shaft 24 rotatescounterclockwise (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3). When each of stop members26 is raised above the glass to a position shown in phantom in the lowerright portion of FIG. 3, spring 41 of each stop member 26 moves lever 34clockwise so that arm 42 engages and closes its associated limit switch,either LS1 or LS2. This closing of switches LS1 and LS2 does not resultin the energization of coil TCR1 if contact CR2-1 is open. Of course,contact is open if sheet G has closed switch LS3 to energize coil CR2.

Assuming switch LS3 is not closed, coil TCR1 is energized when switchesLS1 and LS2 close, but solenoid SV1 cannot be energized until after adelay because the energization of coil TCR1 does not immediately closecontact TCR1-1. However, before the end of the delay period of time,contact CRS2-1 opens to deenergize coil TCR1, when sheet G closes switchLS3.

When the trailing edge of glass sheet G passes beyond switch LS3, thisswitch opens to deenergize coil CR2, thereby closing contact CR2-1 forthe energization of coil TCR1. The switches LS1 and LS2 are alreadyclosed. After a delay, contact TCR1-1 closes, thereby energizingsolenoid SV1. This moves the spool of valve 32a from its other positionthat air cylinder 30 is operated to extend to rod 29. The shaft 24 isrotated clockwise (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3). This lowers stop members26 to the home position to be abutted by the next glass sheet G andraises holddown members 27 and their rolls 48.

When coil CR2 is energized by the closing of switch LS3, this results inthe energization of coils SV2 and SV3 which are in parallel with eachother and in series with 7 normally open contact CR2-2 which closed uponthe energization of coil CR2. The circuits having contact CR22 andsolenoids SVZ and SV3 are connected to lines 81 and 83. The energizationof solenoids SV2 and SV3 moves the spools of valves 67 and 6%,respectively, so that the air source communicates with the upperchambers of cylinders 56 through hoses 67a and 68a, valves 67 and 68 andhoses 65 whereby rods 60 retract to lower cutter wheels 64 and the lowerchambers of cylinder 56 communicate through hoses 66, valves 67 and 68and exhaust hoses 70 to the atmosphere. There is a lag in the operationof air cylinders 56. The lag is adjusted so that the cutter wheels 64are not lowered to the scoring position until the leading edge of glasssheet G is directly under cutter wheels 64 or slightly beyond thisposition.

When the trailing edge of sheet G passes beyond switch LS3, the latteropens, thereby deenergizing coil CR2 to open contact CR2-2. Thisdeenergizes solenoids SVZ and SV3. The springs of the associated valvesmove the spools of the valves to the other position so that the airsource now communicates with the lower chambers of cylinders 56 toextend piston rods 60. The cutter wheels 64 are raised after the lag ofoperation of cylinders 56.

The solenoids SVZ and SV3 are also in series with a normally openpush-button switch PB4 which connects solenoids SV2 and SV3 to line 84.When switch SW1 is in its second position so that line 84 is connectedto line 80 through switch SW1 and contact CR1-2, the closing of switchPB4 by an operator'energizes solenoids 8V2 and SV3 to lower cutterwheels 64 to the scoring position. This permits the manual lowering ofthe cutter Wheels instead of automatically lowering them through theclosing of switch LS3.

Similarly, with switch SW1 in its second position an operator closesswitch PB3 to energize Solenoid SV1. The switch PB3 is maintained closeduntil it is observed that a moving glass sheet G on conveyor 17 abutsboth stop members 26. Then the operator opens switch PB3 to deenergizesolenoid SV1. This results in the raising of stop members 26 and thelowering of rolls 48 to permit the resumption of movement of glass sheetG with rolls 48 maintaining the squaring initially provided by stopmembers 26. This permits the operation of the apparatus during anymalfunction of switch LS1, switch LS2 or the relay having coil TCRl. Thestop members 26 can be lowered only by an operator closing switch PB3 solong as switch SW1 remains in its second position.

With the circuitry described above, it is apparent that the failure ofany one of solenoids SV1, SV2 and SV3 does not have an adverse effect onglass sheets G being moved by conveyor 17. The deenergization ofsolenoid SV1 will automatically result in the raising of stop members 26out of path of travel of the glass sheets on conveyor 17. Thedeenergization of solenoids SV2 and SV3 results in the lifting of cutterwheels 64 through the lifting of tube 59. These results are obtainedautomatically through the circuitry when an operator opens switch PB1 todeenergize coil CR1 for the opening of contact CR1-2.

Modifications of the electrical circuitry will be apparent to oneskilled in the art from the description that has been presented. Forexample, limit switches LS1 and LS2 can be positioned so that they wouldbe closed by arms 42, when levers 34 are pivoted by sheet G to energizesolenoid SV1. In this .case the solenoid valve having solenoid SV1 wouldbe connected to air cylinder 30 so that, when solenoid SV1 is energized,piston rod 29 is retracted. The modified circuitry would also includecircuits so that solenoid SV1 cannot be deenergized for the lowering ofstop members 26 until after glass sheet G has entirely passed. Forexample, contacts of the relay having coil CR2, which is energized byswitch LS3, could be utilized in circuits to prevent deenergization ofsolenoid SV1 until sheet G passes beyond switch LS3. The motor foroperating conveyor 17 can be operated through a starter (not shown)having a co l similar 8 to coil CR1. The coil is energized andmaintained in the energized state in the same manner as described abovefor ooil CR1. This motor operates continuously to move glass sheet Gagainst stop members 26 and then under cutter wheels 64 as soon as stopmembers 26 are automatically lifted from the path of travel of sheet G.

Various modifications of the apparatus will be apparent to one skilledin the art from the description of the preferred embodiment presentedabove and in the drawings. Thus the invention is not to be limited bythis description but only by the claims that follow.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for cutting a moving glass sheet along parallel linesnormal to the leading edge of the moving sheet which comprises asupporting structure, conveyor means to move a glass sheet in ahorizontal path of travel, a pair of sheet-stopping means, saidsheet-stopping means being spaced from each other in a vertical planenormal to the horizontal path of travel of the glass sheet, meansmounted on the supporting structure to support each of said pair ofsheet- Stopping means, actuated power means to move said supportingmeans for said stopping means between a first position and a secondposition, said support means for said stop-ping means in the firstposition supporting said sheet-stopping means in the path of travel ofthe glass sheet and said support means in the second position supportingsaid sheet-stopping means above the path of travel, a first sensingmeans actuated by abutment of the glass sheet against one of saidsheetstopping means, a second sensing means actuated by abutment of theglass sheet against the other of said sheet-stopping means, means toactuate said power means in response to actuation only of both of saidfirst sensing and said second sensing means for movement of said supportmeans [from the first position to the second position, cutter wheels,means to support said cutter wheels in position at least to score theglass sheet along lines parallel to the path of travel of the sheet,said wheelsupporting means being mounted on the supporting structure,and means to actuate said power means to move said support rneans forsaid stopping means from the second position to the first position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and including levers mounted on said supportmeans for said sheet-stopping means, rolls rotatably mounted on saidlevers, means connected to said support means for said sheet-stoppingmeans to maintain said levers in a first position when said supportmeans for said sheet-stopping means is in the first position wherebysaid rolls are spaced above the path of travel of the glass sheet, saidlever-maintaining means being movable with said support means for saidsheet-stopping means from the first position to the second positionwhereby said levers are in a second position and said rolls are on theglass sheet when said support means for said sheet-stopping means is inthe second position.

3. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein said support means for said cutterwheels includes a bridge mounted on the supporting structure above saidconveyor means and actuated power means connected to said supportinstructure and supporting said-bridge for vertical movement between afirst position, wherein said cutter wheels are spaced above the path oftravel of the glass sheet, and a second position wherein said cutterwheels are in scoring position and said apparatus includes a thirdsensing means mounted on a supporting structure between saidsheet-stopping means and said cutter wheels to be actuated by theleading edge of the glass sheet, said third sensing means actuating saidpower means for said bridge for movement of said bridge from the firstposition to the second position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first, second d t ird sensingmeans includes limit switches and wherein the power means for thebridge-supporting means includes air cylinders.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said third sheetsensing meansincludes a relay having a contact to prevent said actuating meansoperating said power means to move said shee -stopping means from thesecond position to the first position during abutment of the glass sheetagainst said third sensing means.

6. An apparatus for cutting a moving glass sheet along parallel linesnormal to the leading edge of the moving sheet which comprises asupporting structure, conveyor means to move a glass sheet in ahorizontal path of travel, a shaft rotatably mounted on the supportingstructure, said shaft being above said conveyor and with its axis ofrotation being horizontal and normal to said path of travel of the sheetprovided by said conveyor means, a pair of spaced sheet-stopping meansmounted on said shaft for pivotal movement about the axis of rotation ofsaid shaft with and upon movement of said shaft about its axis ofrotation, actuated power means to move said shaft about its axis ofrotation between a first position and a second position, saidsheetstoppi-ng means being in the path of travel of the glass sheet whensaid shaft is in the first position and above the path of travel whensaid shaft is in the second position, a first sensing means actuated byabutment of the glass sheet against one of said sheet-stopping means, asecond sensing means actuated by abutment of the glass sheet against theother of said sheet-stopping means, means to actuate said power means inresponse to actuation only of both of said first sensing means and saidsecond sensing means for rotation of said shaft from first position tosecond position, cutter wheels, means mounted on the supportingstructure to support said cutter wheels in position at least to scorethe glass sheet along lines parallel to path of the sheet, and means toactuate said power means to move said shaft from the second position tothe first position.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 and including levers rotatably mounted onsaid shaft, rolls :rotatably mounted on said levers, lifting leverskeyed on said shaft, said lifting levers engaging said levers rotatablymounting said rolls when said shaft in in the first position wherebysaid rolls are spaced above the path of travel of the :glass sheet, saidlifting levers being moved by rotation of said shaft to the secondposition whereby said rolls are on the glass sheet being moved by saidconveyor means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of the pair of spacedsheet-stopping means includes a bracket keyed on said shaft for pivotalmovement upon rotation of said shaft, a lever mounted on said bracketfor pivotal movement between a first position and a second positionabout an axis parallel to the axis of the said shaft, a sheet-abuttingmeans mounted on said lever for abutment with the sheet when said shaftis in the first position, means to limit the pivotal movement of saidlever from the first position to the second position by the glass sheet,a spring urging the movement of the lever away from the second positiontoward the first position, and an arm mounted on said lever for pivotalmovement with movement of said lever, said first and second sensingmeans including limit switches mounted on the brackets for engagement bysaid arms when said levers are at one of said first and second positionsof pivotal movement.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the power means to move said shaftabout its axis of rotation includes a lever keyed on said shaft and anair cylinder pivotally mounted on the supporting structure and having apistion rod pivotally connected to said lever of said power means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said support means for said cutterwheels includes a bridge mounted on the supporting structure above saidconveyor means and actuated power means connected to said supportingstructure and supporting said bridge for vertical movement between afirst position, wherein said cutter wheels are spaced above the path oftravel of the glass sheet, and a second position wherein said cutterwheels are in a scoring posit-ion and said apparatus includes a thirdsensing means mounted on a supporting structure between saidsheet-stopping means and said cutter wheels to be actuated by theleading edge of the glass sheet, said third sensing means actuating saidpower means for said bridge for movement of said bridge from the firstposition to the second position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the third sensing means includes alimit switch and wherein the power means for the bridge-supporting meansincludes air cylinders.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said third sheet-sensing meansincludes a relay having a contact to prevent said actuating meansoperating said power means to move said sheet-stopping means from thesec end position to the first position during abutment of the glasssheet against said third sensing means.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING A MOVING GLASS SHEET ALONG PARALLEL LINESNORMAL TO THE LEASING EDGE OF THE MOVING SHEET WHICH COMPRISES ASUPPORTING STRUCTURE, CONVEYOR MEANS TO MOVE A GLASS SHEET IN AHORIZONTAL PATH OF TRAVEL, A PAIR OF SHEET-STOPPING MEANS, SAIDSHEET-STOPPING MEANS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN A VERTICAL PLANENORMAL TO THE HORIZONTAL PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE GLASS SHEET, MEANSMOUNTED ON THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE TO SUPPORT EACH OF SAID PAIR OFSHEETSTOPPING MEANS, ACTUATED POWER MEANS TO MOVE SAID SUPPORTING MEANSFOR SAID STOPPING MEANS BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION,SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID STOPPING MEANS IN THE FIRST POSITIONSUPPORTING SAID SHEET-STOPPING MEANS IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE GLASSSHEET AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS IN THE SECOND POSITION SUPPORTING SAIDSHEET-STOPPING MEANS ABOVE THE PATH OF TRAVEL, A FIRST SENSING MEANSACTUATED BY ABUTMENT OF THE GLASS SHEET AGAINST ONE OF SAIDSHEETSTOPPING MEANS, A SECOND SENSING MEANS ACTUATED BY ABUTMENT OF THEGLASS SHEET AGAINST THE OTHER OF SAID SHEET-STOPPING MEANS, MEANS TOACTUATE SAID POWER MEANS IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION ONLY OF BOTH OF SAIDFIRST SENSING AND SAID SECOND SENSING MEANS FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID SUPPORTMEANS FROM THE FIRST POSITION TO THE SECOND POSITION, CUTTER WHEELS,MEANS TO SUPPORT SAID CUTTER WHEELS IN POSITION AT LEAST TO SCORE THEGLASS SHEET ALONG LINES PARALLEL TO THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE SHEET,SAID WHEELSUPPORTING MEANS BEING MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE,AND MEANS TO ACTUATE SAID POWER MEANS TO MOVE SAID SUPPORT MEANS FORSAID STOPPING MEANS FROM THE SECOND POSITION TO THE FIRST POSITION.